CVE-2008-5234 in xine-lib
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in xine-lib 1.1.12, and other versions before 1.1.15, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to (1) a crafted metadata atom size processed by the parse_moov_atom function in demux_qt.c and (2) frame reading in the id3v23_interp_frame function in id3.c. NOTE: as of 20081122, it is possible that vector 1 has not been fixed in 1.1.15.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5234 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in xine-lib version 1.1.12 and earlier versions, affecting multimedia playback functionality across multiple operating systems. This vulnerability exists within the xine multimedia library which serves as a core component for media playback in various Linux distributions and applications. The flaw manifests in two distinct code paths that process different types of multimedia metadata, making exploitation possible through various attack vectors that target the library's handling of media file structures.
The first vulnerability occurs within the parse_moov_atom function in the demux_qt.c file, where a crafted metadata atom size triggers a heap-based buffer overflow. This function processes QuickTime movie atoms and fails to properly validate the size parameter before attempting to allocate memory for the atom data. When an attacker crafts a maliciously sized metadata atom, the library allocates insufficient memory for the data, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The second vulnerability exists in the id3v23_interp_frame function within id3.c, where frame reading operations can trigger similar buffer overflow conditions when processing maliciously constructed id3v2.3 metadata frames. Both vulnerabilities stem from inadequate input validation and memory management practices, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5234 is significant as it allows remote code execution in applications that utilize xine-lib for multimedia playback. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by crafting malicious media files or web content that triggers the vulnerable code paths during playback operations. The heap-based nature of these buffer overflows means that memory corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, memory corruption, and potential privilege escalation. Since xine-lib is widely used in multimedia applications, web browsers, and media players, the attack surface is extensive and affects numerous software ecosystems. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it particularly dangerous as attackers can deliver malicious content through various channels including websites, email attachments, or file-sharing networks.
Security researchers have classified these vulnerabilities under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in heap memory allocations. The attack patterns align with ATT&CK techniques such as T1203 Exploitation for Execution and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute arbitrary code and potentially establish persistent access. Mitigation strategies include upgrading to xine-lib version 1.1.15 or later, which contains patches for both identified buffer overflow conditions. Additionally, administrators should implement network segmentation, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for malicious media file patterns, and consider sandboxing multimedia applications to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management in multimedia processing libraries, particularly those handling untrusted data from network sources.